Some time ago, the name of the Mahamaya Nagar district was changed to Hathras district. Hathras district, a part of Aligarh division is a district of Uttar Pradesh state with its administrative headquarters located at Hathras town. The glorious history of the Hathras district is famous throughout the country. The district occupies a significant status in terms of mythological background. The archaeological evidences found in the Hathras district depict its golden history during the era of Mahabharata. The region of Hathras was ruled by different powerful dynasties during different periods of time likewise the Jat, Kushan, the Gupta Empire and Maratha rulers during different points of time. In 1716 CE, there was a Jat ruler named Bhoj Singh, the son of Raja Nandram who conquered the Hathras from the Rajput rulers. After the demise of Bhoj Singh, his son called Sadan Singh became the ruler of Hathras which was followed by his son, Bhoori Singh. As per the history of the district, during the reign of Bhoori Singh the temple of the Lord Balarama was constructed within area of the Hathras fort. In the 18^th century, the famous saint Tulsi Das was born in this region. Then the British came to India and later in the year 1817 it was became a British dominion. After including some parts of the Aligarh, Mathura, Khair and Agra districts, the Hathras district came into existence on 3^rd May, 1997. In the same year 1997, Mayawati the then chief minister of Uttar Pradesh changed the name of the Hathras district to Mahamaya Nagar district in the memory of Mahamaya, the mother of Gautama Buddha. In 2012, when Akhilesh Yadav became the chief minister of Uttar Pradesh the earlier name of the district i.e. Hathras was revived so the Hathras district is also called as Mahamaya Nagar district.

Geographically, the district lies at 27°60’N latitude,78°05’E longitude and 178 m altitude. In the year 2021, there was a total 1.25% forest area of total geographical area. The district encompasses a geographical area of 1,840 sq. km. and it is bounded by Aligarh district on the North, Agra district on the South, Mathura district on the East and Etah district on the West. The climate of the district remains extremely hot during the summer. The actual rainfall in the district was 983.8 mm in the year of 2021-2022.

Administration wise, the district is divided into 4 tehsils namely Hathras, Sadabad, Sikandra Rao and Sasni. Moreover, the district comprises 4 sub-districts, 12 towns and 669 villages.

According to 2011 census the district has a population of 15,64,708 out of which 8,36,127 are males and 7,28,581 are females. The district has a sex ratio of 871 (females for every 1000 males). In the year 2001-2011 the population growth rate in the district was 17.12% including 16.30% are males and 18.07% are females. In the year 2020 the number of live births in the district was 41,357 including 21,457 were males and 19,900 were females. In the same year the number of deaths in the district was 9,482 out of which 5,907 were males and 3,575 were females. As per 2001 census the major religion in the district is Hindu with 89.30% of the total population. According to 2011 census the principal language in the district is Hindi with 98.72%.

Agriculture is the backbone of the economy of the district. Most of the lands in the district are use for agricultural purposes. More than half of its population are engaged in agriculture in order to earn their livelihood. The chief agricultural products in the district are pulses, wheat, barley, maize, etc. The adoption of the new agricultural technologies amongst the famers of the district helps to increase the production of various agricultural items. Every year a huge chunk of revenue comes from the agricultural products helps in its economy to a great extent. Hathras is also an industrially well developed district since from the period of the British Raj. The core industries in the district are cotton milling, knives, asafoetida (hing), desi ghee products, etc. The district is famous for manufacturing the Holi colour and gulal. In the year 2020-21 the gross domestic product in the district was Rs. 16,95,250 lakh at Current Price and Rs. 9,56,742 lakh at Constant Prices during the year 2011-2012. The Net Domestic Product in the district during the period 2020-21 was Rs. 15,14,632 lakh at Current Price and Rs. 8,29,450 lakh at Constant Prices in the year 2011-2012. The Per Capita Income or NDDP, At Factor Cost in the district during the period 2020-21 was Rs. 86,034 at Current Price and Rs. 47,114 at Constant Prices in the year 2011-2012.

The district is well known as an abode of several reputed educational institutions. It provides a platform for higher education. Some of its recognised educational institutions are Saraswati Degree College, SS Memorial Degree College, Akrur Inter College, Saraswati Inter College, Rameshwar Das Agrawal Girls PG College, Saraswati Vidya Mandir, Rajendra Lohia Vidya Mandir, etc. As per 2011 census the literacy rate in the district is 71.59% out of which 82.38% are males and 59.23% are females.

Ram Ji Lal Suman, a veteran Indian politician and a member of the 5^th, 8^th, 12^th and 13^th Lok Sabha from the Firozabad Lok Sabha constituency of Uttar Pradesh was born on 25^th July, 1950 at Hathras town. He is a member of the Samajwadi Party.

The district has several centres of attraction which allures many travellers from different parts of the country as well as world. The rich cultural heritage of the district attracts number of visitors from far off places. Mahakali temple and Shri Dauji Maharaj Mandir, located in the district are its foremost places of interest. Pilgrims from far distance places comes to these temples to offer their prayers. Some other notable tourist destinations in the district are Hathras Fort, Bagharya Temple, Teerathdham Mangalayatan, etc.